Archive for April, 2016
Organizations from Sambalpur oppose naming of Kosli language research centre
Following is a report from the Sambad:
Naveen babu announces a Kosli Language and Literature Research Centre at Bargarh
This is a welcome step!Naveen babu announces a Kosli Language and Literature Research Centre at Bargad. Looks like Naveen babu is still reluctant to recognize Kosli as an official language of Odisha. https://twitter.com/Naveen_Odisha/status/717988477925634049
A ninth century “64 Yogini temple” on verge of ruin
Following a report from the TNIE:
Visitors to the ruins of Ranipur-Jharial, about 110 km from Balangir, are welcomed by a signboard outside the entrance of the 64 Yogini temple that reads – this monument has been declared to be of national importance and protected under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 (24) of 1958. Any one inflicting any kind of damage to this monument is liable for prosecution.
A similar message is found outside the famous Indralath temple, situated at a distance of about 100 metres from the 64 Yogini temple.
It reads: the monument is protected under Ancient Monument Preservation Act 1956 (12) of 1956. Ironically, there is none to protect and maintain these monuments dating back to 9th century.
In the rocky terrain of Ranipur-Jharial remains the ruins of the stone temples and 64 Yogini temple that bear testimony of old era.
The 64 Yogini temple is one of the four remaining rare monuments of 64 Yogini shrines providing a glimpse into the religious sand occult practices from the medieval times that are still alive in Odisha’s tribal traditions and folklore.
The temple houses sandstone image of the three-faced Shiva embracing Parvati standing at the centre of the temple encircled by 64 images of Goddesses in various positions.
The other three Yogini temples are located at Hirapur near Bhubaneswar, Khajuraho and Bheraghat near Jabalpur.
The archaeological site, which once boasted of about 120 temples, now has just 52 of them. Most of these temples are in dilapidated state and needs immediate attention of archaeologists.
The hypaethral temple of 64 Yogini that houses the yoginis in various dancing poses is a unique monument. However, 13 of these 64 carvings of yoginis made of sandstone are missing and a few others have been damaged beyond recognition. The stone temples are situated in clusters in various parts of the rocky outcrop and in various sizes.
A short distance from these temples is another temple on a raised platform. This 20-metre high Indralath temple is claimed to be the tallest brick temple of that era. It is one of the tallest brick temples of ancient India and one of the most remarkable Odishan temples. But now lack of maintenance has taken a toll on this 1,200-year-old temple.
The callous attitude of the State Government as well as district administration towards these rare and ancient monuments of 9th century has invited widespread concern among scholars, historians and researchers.
Sources said the Government is paying more than `40,000 per annum towards deployment of watchmen at these temples. On papers, there are four watchmen deputed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to guard these temples, but in reality there is no guard at the spot for the last 10 years.
As far as connectivity is concerned, there is no bus service to Ranipur Jharial either from the district or the sub-divisional headquarters. Besides, there are no lodging and hotel facilities at the site for the tourists. A guest house built by Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) always remains locked despite the fact that many domestic and international tourists visit the site. There is no provision of electricity and drinking water supply.
“The guest house lies abandoned. Since Ranipur and Jharial are far away from the ruins, it is difficult to get food and water. Only scholars, researchers and historians visit the place,” said Pitobash, a local. A heritage researcher Santosh Kumar Rath said there is an urgent need for the State Government to look into conservation of the ancient structures as negligence and lack of maintenance over the years have been taking a toll on them.
Naveen Writes to Prabhu on Kalahandi Wagon Factory
Following is a report from the TNIE:
BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik expressed concern over reports of shifting of the wagon repair factory proposed at Narla in Kalahandi district to Visakhapatnam and sought clarification from the railway minister Suresh Prabhu in this regard.
“I hope that recent reports on the shifting of the wagon maintenance workshop from Odisha to Andhra Pradesh are not true and I would request a line of confirmation from you to assuage the feelings of neglect and hurt the people of Odisha have suffered,” the chief minister said in a letter to the railway minister.
Stating that Kalahandi, a part of KBK area of Odisha is in dire need of industrialisation, the chief minister said Railways have three large coach/wagon workshops in Andhra Pradesh while has none.
The chief minister said the East Coast Railway (ECR), which is largely present in Odisha and is the number one loading railway zone of Indian Railway, does not have a single wagon maintenance workshop in the State. “It is logical and natural that a Railway Zone that does more than 70 percent of its loading and unloading in Odisha requires a maintenance workshop in the same state,” he said.
Naveen said the then railway minister had declared in the railway budget 2013-14 to set up a ‘new wagon maintenance workshop in Kalahandi district’. The state government had offered two patches of land measuring 70.02 acres and 44.7 acres near Narla road station for this project, he said.
The state government in view of the benefit to the state granted complete exemption of water after the East Coast Railway (ECR) requested permission to draw water from Tel river for free or at a subsidised rate.
Another new wagon maintenance workshop for ECR at Visakhapatnam was announced in 2015-16 railway budget, but no allocation was made for the proposed workshop in Kalahandi. There is also no allocation for Kalahandi workshop in 2016-17 budget, he said.
western Odisha observe Utkal Divas as Black Day
Following is a report from the http://www.prameyanews7.com:
Bhubaneswar: Certain organisations, like earlier years, opposed Utkal Divas celebrations in western Sambalpur, Balangiri, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi and Sonepur districts of the State on Friday. They observed the day as Kala Divas (black day).
According to information, 35 persons were arrested for opposing ‘Bande Utkal Janani’ song in Bargarh. However, they were released on personal bonds.
While effigies of the State administration were burnt at some places, the map of Odisha was torn off at some other places.
According to information, the protestors have alleged the State Government has been neglecting the western region for over last 15 years. They have been demanding a separate State under the name ‘Koshal’.
Koshal Rajya Samanwaya Samiti observed the day as Black Day. Samiti members sat on a dharna demanding a separate State. They tore the Odisha map into two pieces.
Kosli drama festival wins hearts of audience in Balangir
Following report is from the http://prameyanews7.com:
Bhubaneswar: Kosli Naatbadi, a State level drama festival was organised at Balangir. On the sixth evening of the festival, the dramas Jonk and Dakhina were performed by the artists. The plays won the hearts of the audience.
The artists created awareness against corruption among the public through these plays.
Notably, various cultural organisations of Kosal region participated in the week-long Kosli drama festival.
Kosal Discussion and Development Forum 